As noted at CNN on Tuesday, April 10, 2012, Ryu Kun Chol, a senior North Korean space official, spoke at a news conference in Pyongyang that day, and said that they plan to launch the rocket sometime between Thursday, April 12, and Monday, April 16.

As announced by North Korea last month via state TV, the Unha-3 rocket, known in other countries as Taepodong-2, will be carrying satellite named Kwangmyongsong-3, and invited space experts and journalists to watch the launch.

North Korea noted that the rocket launch will mark 100th birthday of its late founding leader Kim Il-sung, grandfather of its leader, Kim Jong-un and claimed that it is for peaceful purposes and will not harm anyone.

Nevertheless, countries such as US, Japan, Philippines, and even South Korea are condemning the act, saying that it will violate the earlier talks that no nuclear tests shall be done in the country in exchange of the food aid.

Apparently, Russia, via its Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich, told reports also on Tuesday that North Korea‘s rocket, which will pass largely over Pacific Ocean, is disregarding UN Security Council resolutions.

“We consider the decision by Pyongyang to carry out a launch of the satellite as an example of disregard for UN resolutions. A way out of the situation should be found by political and diplomatic methods,” Lukashevich was quoted at RIA Novosti.

“Russian considers the situation surrounding the Iranian nuclear program as alarming but not hopeless.” Lukashevich added, noting that “it will be seriously discussed” at a G8 Foreign Ministers‘ meeting in Washington on April 11-12 (Wednesday to Thursday).